Every hipster knows that Brooklyn is what Manhattan used to be: the desired destination of young creative people. Now, one of the last major parcels along the East River that speaks of the area’s history is the site of a brilliant new building that evoke Greenpoint’s former life as a boat-building mecca.
“This project is a deep dive into understanding the neighborhood, the anonymous builders of its warehouses, its nautical heritage and the many industries that supported the boat-building business,” says architect Morris Adjmi, the revered architect responsible for leading the revitalization of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and Brooklyn’s Williamsburg expansion. “To design this building was to gain an appreciation for the history and context of the area.”
The residential building, called The Huron, places two towers atop a long, linear narrow footprint to form a nautical shape, like a ship with two smoke stacks.
“Those two towers refer to history, but they also mean that there are far more units with views in the building,” Morris Adjmi explains. “The view is a wonderful aspect of the location: everyone who has visited the site with me has been blown away by the views.”
Directly across the East River from central Manhattan, The Huron looks at the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and other Manhattan landmarks. The views also include the East River, Brooklyn and Queens.
A lot of outdoor space is a treasured amenity in New York.
“All over the country, we have made efforts to revitalize our waterfronts,” Adjmi says. “A park along the river in front of the building is an example.”
The city has also installed ferry stops along the Brooklyn waterfront.
The Huron features 171 residences, from studio to four-bedroom for-sale apartments, with more than 23,000 square feet of private outdoor space among 67 residences.
“Because there are a lot of corners in this building, there is a lot of outdoor space,” Adjmi says.
The Huron contains a wealth of amenities totaling over 30,000 square feet. There is an 8,000-square-foot private park and playground above a brick podium base on the second level, coined the Treehouse Playground due to its elevation and a nod to its design. Two rooftops on the West Tower and the East Tower will offer some of the most enviable private outdoor amenity spaces in the New York City region with lounge furniture, commercial caliber BBQs, and a sprawling passive lawn ideal for picnics and sunsets. The 50-foot indoor saltwater pool overlooks the East River and Manhattan skyline. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, a Movement studio with full-length mirrors, a ballet bar, and TV, and men’s and women’s locker rooms with saunas. There will be a Resident Lounge with a pool table, fireplace and TV, a dining room complemented with a cozy fireplace and a catering pantry for entertaining, and a beautiful co-working area with pods, integrated booth seating, TV and conference table.
Morris Adjmi designed the sophisticated spaces with hand-glazed tiles, marble mosaic and terrazzo flooring, and white oak paired with stripped-down elements such as blackened patinated metal. Furniture and materials in the amenities spaces were locally sourced by an array of Brooklyn artisans.
On the second level is an elevated private park, featuring passive and active recreation for children. The Explorer’s Room, a children’s playroom, is stocked with KiwiCo crates and kid’s furniture, and the Nook, a casual hangout, is outfitted with table games, state-of-the-art TV, and comfy seating.
The Huron will offer 24-hour concierge service in a dramatic arrival lobby with a featuring a pink Onyx countertop and woven leather. Ample storage includes a package room with refrigerated space, bike storage and additional storage space. There is an attended parking garage on-site and a pet wash.
Greenpoint is situated on the northernmost point in Brooklyn, north of Williamsburg and south of Long Island City. The Huron is approximately 25 minutes to Midtown Manhattan. The Greenpoint Ferry stop and the G train are minutes away.